TOKYO, JAPAN, Friday, 24 October 2014 – The 4th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) Short Term Exchange Program (STEP) was held at the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Command and Staff College in Tokyo, Japan from 15 to 25 October 2014. This year program saw a gathering of 28 naval officers from 26 countries around the globe that promoted friendship with the JMSDF Command and Staff College students.
The WPNS STEP aims to deepen mutual understanding among the participants to promote multilateral cooperation as leading Naval officers-to-be in the near future in hoping to strengthen future cooperation among Navies.
The main theme for this year’s program was ‘Pursuing Open and Stable Seas.’ The participants were given the opportunity to talk about their navies and on selected topic that relates to the main theme. Also, they were provided with a variety of lectures, field trips and seminars to learn about Japan’s history, culture, security environment, defence policy, the JMSDF, share challenges and experiences in order to gain a new perspective.
In the closing ceremony, the President of JMSDF Command and Staff College, Vice Admiral Kazuki Yamashita made a remark that there are things Navies can do in order to share the ocean as a global commons, and realize open and stable seas. He also believed that the key to this accomplishment will be human network, especially the relations as Naval Officers and hoped the friendly ties cultivated during the program will help greatly when face with challenges in the future.
The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) was represented by Major (L) Mohd Faizal Ezam bin Haji Abas, Marine Engineering Officer KDB DARUSSALAM. Major (L) Faizal was also given the opportunity to deliver a presentation on the RBN and topic on ‘The Navies’ Roles in Large Scale Disasters’ to the participants, JMDSF Directing Staff and students.
